This tutorial will show you how to allow or prevent all users from being able to use File History to backup and restore specific files and folders in Windows 8 and 8.1.

How to Enable or Disable File History in Windows 8 and 8.1​

Information

File History is a new feature introduced in Windows 8 that lets one backup and restore specific files and folders at a specified time and location.

This tutorial will show you how to allow or prevent all users from being able to use File History to backup and restore specific files and folders in Windows 8, Windows RT, Windows 8.1, and Windows RT 8.1.

You must be signed in as an administrator to be able to do the steps in this tutorial.

EXAMPLE: "File History" Disabled

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OPTION ONE

Enable or Disable File History using a REG File Download

Note

The .reg files below are for the registry key and value below.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\FileHistory

Disabled DWORD

0 = Enable File History1 = Disable File History

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1.Do step 2 or 3 below for what you would like to do.​

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2. To Enable File History​

NOTE:This is the default setting.​

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A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below.​

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Enable_File_History.reg​

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B) Go to step 4 below.​

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3. To Disable File History​

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A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below.​

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Disable_File_History.reg​

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B) Go to step 4 below.​

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4. Save the .reg file to the desktop.​

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5. Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to Merge it.​

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6. If prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK.​

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7. When finished, you can delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.​

OPTION TWO

Enable or Disable File History in Local Group Policy Editor

NOTE:This option for using group policy is only available in the Windows 8 Pro and Windows 8 Enterpriseeditions.

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1. From the Start screen, start typing gpedit.msc and press Enter when finished.​

NOTE:You could also press Windows+R to open the Run dialog, type gpedit.msc, and click/tap on OK.​